​Canada's military chief apologizes for saying men are 'biologically wired' for sexual harassment

Canada's military chief has apologized for saying the prevalence of sexual harassment in the Canadian Forces is due to “biological wiring.” His comment drew outrage from politicians and those on social media.

Tom Lawson's
controversial statement was made during a Tuesday interview with
CBC News.

"It would be a trite answer, but it's because we're
biologically wired in a certain way and there will be those who
believe it is a reasonable thing to press themselves and their
desires on others. It's not the way it should be," Lawson
said.

"Much
as we would very much like to be absolutely professional in
everything we do, and I think by and large we are, there will be
situations and have been situations where, largely, men will see
themselves as able to press themselves onto our women
members,”he
added.

But it took Lawson just hours to backpedal on the statement,
calling it an “awkward characterization.”

“Sexual misconduct in any form, in any situation is clearly
unacceptable," Lawson said, adding that his “reference
to biological attraction being a factor in sexual misconduct was
by no means intended to excuse anyone from responsibility for
their actions.”

But the apology didn't come before a barrage of criticism from
politicians and social media users.

Lawson did, however, say in the interview that the current
situation needs to change.

“We are going to tackle that. We've been successful in
tackling other cultures," he said, adding that the Armed
Forces are "well on their way."

The comments come after an April report by Marie Deschamps, a retired Supreme
Court justice, which called sexual misconduct “endemic”
in the Canadian Forces.

Deschamps accused the military of having a macho culture, in
which the leadership tolerates abuse and leaves women in fear of
reporting it.

In particular, she concluded the Canadian Forces environment was
characterized by frequent swearing and “highly
degrading” comments about women's bodies, along with sexual
jokes, unwelcome sexual touching and discriminatory comments
about women's abilities.

She laid out an action plan to change that culture – a plan that
Lawson claims he's committed to following.

"I am committed, alongside Canadian Armed Forces leadership,
to addressing the issue of sexual misconduct through an action
plan based on the 10 recommendations provided in Madame [Marie]
Deschamps' report," Lawson's statement said.

Lawson will be stepping down as military chief in September. He
will be replaced by Lieutenant-General Jonathan Vance, currently
the commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command.